Best SD Memory Cards Panasonic S5 II – V60 vs V90 Tested

The Panasonic Lumix S5 II features dual SD card slots that support UHS-II V90 cards.

While V90 UHS-II cards are the fastest option, they are unnecessary for videographers, as the S5 II’s maximum bitrate is 200 Mbps. Panasonic recommends V30 UHS-I SD cards as the minimum specification card for video recording. Since you are also likely using this camera for photography, I would recommend V60 cards; they offer a nice price-to-performance balance.

Photographers looking to clear the buffer quickly and shoot continuous bursts at 30 fps with a 24.2 MP camera will benefit from the improved speeds of V90 SD UHS-II cards.

The maximum memory card: While the manual lists 512GB as the max, the S5 II uses the SDXC standard and modern 1TB cards (like the Lexar Silver Series) have been verified to work perfectly for long travel days.

Table of Contents

• Recommended SD Cards For Panasonic S5 II
• Panasonic S5 II Capacity
• Panasonic S5 II In-Camera Memory Card Benchmarks
• V60 vs. V90: The S5 II Decision Matrix
• Panasonic S5 II: What Size Card To Buy?
• Panasonic S5 II Recording Specs & Details
• Panasonic S5 II Record Times – Memory Card Capacity
• Essential Panasonic S5 II Accessories
• L-Mount Ecosystem & Compatibility
• Closing Tip

Recommended SD Cards For Panasonic S5 II

The V90 Recommendation: The V90 UHS-II memory cards are the fastest for the Panasonic S5II, but videographers only need U3 cards. But these cards are probably overkill for this camera for most people.

The V60 Recommendation: V60 UHS-II SD cards strike the best balance between what photographers and videographers need, and I recommend them for the Panasonic Lumix S5 II.

If you aren’t a sports or bird photographer, the V60 cards are more than enough. If you want to dive deeper into how these speeds are measured, check out my Ultimate Guide to Memory Card Speeds & Ratings.

Panasonic S5 II Capacity

What is the maximum capacity of SD cards that can be used with the Panasonic S5 II?

The official Panasonic S5M2 user manual lists 512GB as the maximum supported capacity.

Panasonic S5 II In-Camera Memory Card Benchmarks

This chart shows how all the cards performed in the Panasonic S5 II. I have a few V90 cards that need to be replaced and don’t connect correctly to cameras. For example, the Sandisk V90 card is a good card; it was just giving me connection issues with some cameras this summer. It’s a faulty card (I think I damaged the pins), and I didn’t catch it before doing these tests. For most people, a new card should be fine. SanDisk is usually a great card.

V60 vs. V90: The S5 II Decision Matrix

The most common question for S5 II owners is whether to spend the extra cash on V90 cards. Because the standard S5 II is capped at an internal bitrate of 200 Mbps, its technical requirements are much lower than those of its sibling, the Panasonic S5 IIx.
Note: If you are looking for ProRes recording or 600Mbps All-I bitrates, you’ll need to check out the Panasonic S5IIX Memory Card & SSD Guide, as those features require an SSD or a specific “X” body.

Performance Tier	Card Type	Use Case
The Sweet Spot	UHS-II V60	Speed Clearing. Only necessary if you shoot long 30 fps RAW bursts and want the buffer to clear as quickly as possible so you can get back to shooting.
Max Performance	UHS-II V90	Speed Clearing. Only necessary if you shoot long 30fps RAW bursts and want the buffer to clear as fast as possible so you can get back to shooting.
The Budget Route	UHS-I (V30)	Casual Use. Fine for 100Mbps video or single-shot photography. Expect the camera buffer to “hang” for 2+ minutes after a long burst.

Panasonic S5 II: What Size Card To Buy?

If you’re into photography and use some light video, I suggest starting with a 128GB card. But if high-bitrate video is your main focus, consider stepping up to a 256GB card. If you want to travel for a week or two, a 512GB card can give you some peace of mind without causing any storage anxiety.

However, as of the 2026 Firmware (Ver 3.7), this is no longer a hard limit.

• 1TB Compatibility: High-quality 1TB cards (like the Kingston Canvas React Plus or Sabrent Rocket) have been verified to work perfectly in the S5 II.

• The Benefit: For travel photographers or those shooting “Open Gate” 6K video, a 1TB V60 card is the ultimate “set it and forget it” solution.

Panasonic S5 II Recording Specs & Details

Record Limit: Unlimited
Because the S5 II maxes out at 200 Mbps internally, you only need a card capable of sustaining 25 MB/s—making V60 cards, or even UHS-I (if you’re strictly using the camera for video), the ideal choice.

Panasonic S5 II Record Times – Memory Card Capacity

The table below illustrates various recording modes and their corresponding time usage on different card sizes. If you want personalized figures, check out the bitrate-to-time converter.

Panasonic S5 II Record Times	64GB	128GB	256GB	512GB
6k 200Mbps | 25MB/s H.265	43min	85Min	171min	341min
4k 150Mbps | 18.75MB/s H.265	57min	114min	288min	455min

Essential Panasonic S5 II Accessories

The S5 II is a versatile hybrid, but a few key additions can solve its most common “pain points”—specifically battery life and audio.

SmallRig USB-C DMW-BLK22 Battery

The best upgrade for today. These feature a built-in USB-C port, allowing you to charge the battery directly with a phone cable or power bank without a bulky external charger. They come in blue or orange. I posted links to blue.

I use these USB-C type batteries for most of my cameras now and absolutely love the convenience of not having to carry around a charger. There are a few brands that make them, so if you can’t find Small Rig in your country, look for K&F Concept, Neewer or Wasabi. But I’ve tested the Small Rig, and it has great cells and performs very close to OEM (I can’t tell the difference).

Available At: Amazon / B&H

SmallRig Cage

For hybrid shooters, a cage provides the mounting points you need for a mic or monitor while keeping the camera’s grip side lightweight and ergonomic. Cages are not just for video; I often use a full cage on my Nikon Z8; it’s even useful for photography, where I can mount a flash off to the side with a cable trigger instead of directly on the hotshoe.

They make a few different cage styles for the Panasonic S5 II, so you’ll want to shop around a bit to see what you like. I posted what I think would work well with this camera, since this style keeps the shutter button clear.

Available At: Amazon

Tempered Glass Screen Protector

An essential $10 insurance policy. The S5 II’s articulating screen is great, but it’s prone to scratches when flipped out for vlogging or street photography.

Available At: Amazon

L-Mount Ecosystem & Compatibility

Since the S5 II is part of the L-Mount alliance, your choice of memory card is only half the battle for a high-performance kit. To see which lenses pair best with the S5 II’s phase-detect AF system, see my full List of L-Mount Lenses.

For a complete overview of where the S5 II fits in the current lineup—including the newer 2025/2026 flagship models—visit the Panasonic Camera Hub.

Closing Tip

Always ensure you are on the latest firmware. Recent updates have significantly improved the stability of high-capacity cards and added new “MP4(Lite)” modes that are perfect for quick social sharing without clogging up your storage.